Cannot remember the exact year but possibly around 1945 a group of girls from the school were selected to assist the war effort by helping the farmers pick their crops. I rember being very thrilled to be one of those chosen to go. I think the farm was around the Peterborough area where we were billeted in an old hall. Every morning we were called for by the farmer or his son with their tractor which we rode off on to work. We always hoped it was the farmer's son since he drove faster and it was more fun. The day was spent picking potatoes (no diseased ones were allowed in the baskets unlike today)or carrots or whatever was ready.
When our baskets were full they were emptied into a larger container by ourselves or sometimes with assistance from Italian Prisoners of war also working there. We went home very tired but feeling we had done something worth while but not to tired to take part in a fancy dress parade or some such. My friend Margaret and I once won first prize dressed as a writing compendium, with a blanket for the back, a sheet for the front, a bicycle pump for a pen and various other things for the rest of the contents.
All in all an enjoyable time!